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beth anne carroll

This past Saturday, FC Dallas hosted the 3rd annual 3v3 Heat Tournament at the fields of the FC Dallas Stadium Complex. Participant age groups ranged from U8-U10 on the girls' side and U8-U15 on the boys' side, as well as an adult division. The tournament hosted 57 teams, a 25 percent increase from last year's 42 teams, according to tournament director Jesse McNeil.

The day started with each team playing three games against the other teams, with the best records in each division advancing to the playoffs. Each division crowned a champion. It was a long day, but all of the teams enjoyed the tournament, with many saying they look forward to participating in next year's tournament.

"We had a great time. It was well run, Jessie did a great job organizing it and we had a blast," Alan Beanie, coach of the winning Azzuri team, said, "We definitely would do it again."

Participants of all age groups agreed on the success of the tournament, and in general, enjoyed the tournament.

"I loved this tournament. It's a great way to spend time with your teammates and get to know each other better and it's always fun to do these tournaments," Johan Gomez, a participant in the tournament, said.

After a weekend off, there wasn't any movement in this week's power rankings for FC Dallas, meaning that the team remains in the top three in every major list for another week. Dallas has their work cut out for them this week with two games, including a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup matchup against rival Houston on Wednesday before the team travels to Portland to take on the Timbers.

MLSsoccer.com left FCD in the second spot and gave George John some love:

How was George John not on the All-Star ballot? How was he not on the preliminary 35-man Gold Cup roster? Has everybody forgotten that there's soccer happening in Dallas?

Dallas bided its time and prepared for its mammoth Western Conference clash against Portland. Manager Schellas Hyndman will be hoping that the gastroenteritis that sidelined Blas Perez while on international duty doesn't shut the forward down.

FC Dallas had the week off, but the club will wait on the word regarding striker Blas Perez, who was ruled out of Panama's World Cup qualifier with the USA with gastroenteritis. Should he have to miss the weekend's crucial bout with Portland, that'd be a big blow for a side whose Western Conference lead continues to shrink.

The U.S. Men's National Team has a World Cup qualifying game against Jamaica tonight (8:30 p.m. CT, beIN Sport). After a loss to the Reggae Boyz in a qualifying game last year, tonight's is crucial for the USMNT, which is currently in fourth place in the Hexagonal. If you're looking for a fun place to watch the game with some fellow soccer lovers, stop by one of our pub partners! All of the pubs will be showing the game and many will have either drink specials or Happy Hours, so it's a great way to watch the game and celebrate the weekend. Here are some of the specials going on tonight.

Allen Wickers- Located in Plano, Happy Hour runs from 4-8 p.m., so it's a great place to stop by before the game.

The Londoner Frisco- This will be a big night at the The Londoner Frisco. In addition to 70s night and drink specials ($1.75 Bud Light and $3 gin and vodka tonics), the FC Dallas Girls will be stopping by from 7:30-9:30p.m.

The Londoner Addison- The Londoner in Addison will be serving their usual Friday special, $2.50 PBRs, all day as well as during the game.

FC Dallas managed to earn a point on the road in Colorado this weekend, a result that was good enough to keep them in the top three in just about every MLS power ranking this week. While some polls moved the Montreal Impact up to the top spot after their win this weekend, one still credited FCD with the spot and none of them moved them down more than one spot. FCD sits at number two or three in just about every list. Most importantly, Dallas still remains at the top of the Western Conference standings heading into a bye weekend.

MLSsoccer.com jumped Montreal over FCD, bumping Dallas to the number two spot in their rankings:

Dallas are never going to win many admirers for how they play, but they probably care more about winning points instead. And it's proved to be damn effective, especially since they have a pair of big-name players – Blas Pérez and David Ferreira – who live up to their billing every time they put on the uniform.

FC Dallas remained in the number three spot for another week according to ESPN FC’s rankings:

FCD secured an impressive road point at Colorado, coming back twice from a goal down thanks to Blas Perez's two goals. A bye next weekend should allow more of Dallas' injured players the chance to get back to full fitness.

Soccer America moved Montreal into the top spot, dropping Dallas down one spot to #2.

The winning streak was just enough for the Impact to edge past FC Dallas into the top spot in the power rankings.

A wild sequence at Dick's Sporting Goods Park resulted in a well-taken brace by Blas Perez and allowed FC Dallas to twice come back from one-goal deficits to salvage a draw in its 2010 MLS Cup final rematch with the Colorado Rapids. FCD's pace has slowed considerably, with the club having just two wins in the last six games, but Schellas Hyndman's side continues to find a way to make the points add up. It remains atop the Western Conference standings.

In the semifinals, Albania took on Senegal while Mexico 1 played Cameroon. The Albania-Senegal game was played at a slower pace than the other match up, making the battle in the midfield important. Albania’s goal was scored from a set-piece and Albania’s goalkeeper held firm as Senegal tried to equalize in the end, securing an Albania win.

The second semifinal game was a clash of two different styles. Cameroon was very athletic with speed and a lot of technical skill. Mexico had the counter attack ready to go. Mexico went up 1-0 early but Cameroon attacked and took a 2-1 lead before halftime. Mexico scored early again in the second half to make it 2-2. Late in the match, Mexico countered and scored on a good through ball from Tito Salas. It put the pressure on Cameroon to score, but Mexico got another goal late as Cameroon gave them space in the back. Cameroon was awarded a penalty kick late but the Mexico goalkeeper made a diving save to his left and pushed the ball off the crossbar as the whistle blew, signaling a 4-2 victory for Mexico.

The championship match between Mexico and Albania was a matchup of two highly skilled teams. Short, quick passing was on display as both teams had a lot of possession. The winning goal was scored by RJ Luevano on a free kick from 25 yards out in the first half to give Albania the 1-0 lead. Mexico had several scoring opportunities, but the Albania 'keeper saved every one, earning him man of the match honors as his team won the 2013 MoneyGram Nations Cup title.

Despite a win over a tough San Jose team over the weekend, FC Dallas didn't move much in the weekly MLS power rankings, but then again there's not really anywhere to go when you're #1. The team stayed at the top in two polls, and moved up in one other poll. June will prove to be a key month for the team in regards to records and rankings as they play three of their four league games on the road. For now, Dallas still sits at or near the top of everyone's rankings.

They weren't great vs. the Earthquakes, but Raul Fernandez sure was. After a shaky (and droppy) start to his MLS career, he's turned into something of a sure - if unorthodox - thing in net. Certainly earned his team at least two points, if not all three.

In ESPN FC’s rankings, Dallas is still sitting in the number three spot:

FC Dallas welcomed back regulars George John and David Ferreira, but it was the goalkeeping heroics of Raul Fernandez late that sealed Dallas' 1-0 win over San Jose. Rookie defender Walker Zimmerman was impressive in his first start.

George John was back in the lineup, but goalkeeper Raul Fernandez was the big hero in a 1-0 win over San Jose. Fabian Castillo, slowly learning how to properly deploy all that raw speed, had the Red Stripe’s goal.

FC Dallas rebounded from its 4-2 loss to Seattle a week ago by topping San Jose, 1-0, with a Fabian Castillo goal and another sharp game by keeper Raul Fernandez, who pulled off several big stops in the final minutes.

Fabian Castillo's goal has FC Dallas back on the winning track following a one-game slip-up, with the current Supporters' Shield frontrunners taming last year's Supporters' Shield winner, San Jose. Raul Fernandez was heroic in net -- denying the Earthquakes their typical late-game shenanigans -- and rookie and U.S. U-20 center back Walker Zimmerman looked right at home in the heart of the club's defense in his first MLS start.

Finally, Yahoo Sports moved FCD up one spot from last week, putting the team at number two:

Nothing like a clean sheet to erase any memories of a 4-2 defeat. Dallas remains the best side in the MLS West.

After a strong performance in goal against San Jose, the honors are pouring in for Raul Fernandez! Not only was the goalkeeper named to the number two spot in MLSsoccer.com's weekly Castrol Index Top 20 Performers list, but he is also nominated for Save of the Week for his big stop on MLS Golden Boot-winner Chris Wondolowski late in the match!

Fernandez had six stops in the victory, including a couple late match stops to preserve the win. It was Fernandez’s fifth shutout of the season, tied for second-most in MLS.

After their key plays over the weekend, Kenny Cooper and Michel found themselves among the weekly Castrol Index Top Performers and Team of the Week honorees, respectively.

Michel’s strong play in Saturday’s game against Seattle, including his olimpico goal and his service on Cooper's goal, earned him a spot on MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week. Read what Nicholas Rosano had to say about Michel below.

MF: Michel (FC Dallas) – His prowess on set pieces was on display once more in Seattle, where he scored an olimpico and delivered an assist for Dallas' other goal on the night. Complemented this with another strong performance in the center of the park.

Meanwhile, Cooper’s goal earned him the #9 spot on the Castrol Index Weekly Top 20. The forward’s set piece goal in the 54th minute put FC Dallas on the scoreboard, setting the stage for Michel's game-tying olimpico.